Dolpo Jomsom Trek - 28 Days

Dolpo is a far-flung and mystique gem of Nepal. Bound to the east and south by the towering Dhaulagiri and Churey ranges respectively, this secluded corner of Nepal was derestricted for international tourist access only in 1989. It’s only since then that the flavor and fragrance of modernity and development gradually began to smear up on this region, albeit trekking along some of the places in this region, you might just feel that time has been stagnant for centuries as you see the inhabitants (mainly Gurungs and Magars) still indulged in the orthodox way of life. “Ba-yul”, is the local nomenclature for Dolpo, which literally means “the hidden land”. Dolpo is fortressed by the Shey Phoksundo National Park (3555 sq km), Nepal’s largest. The Tibetan style villages in Tarap, the big mountains and monasteries perched at unlikely places, the high passes (Kagmara La, Numa La, Baga La) and people’s inclination towards the “pre-Buddhist Bon Po” religion, make this place even more special. Watch out for the extensive range of floras and faunas. Carry your lucky charm with you…you might just stumble upon the legendary snow leopards!!

Jomsom, the headquarter of Mustang district, is a picturesque far- western town of Nepal, which stretches along the banks of the Kali Gandaki river, with a fascinating backdrop of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Nilgiri. Between these two ranges, one can witness eight of the world’s ten tallest mountains. The contrasting panorama ranging from pinky rhododendron clusters to the rocky cliffs and desert will certainly get the viewers flabbergasted.

The Dolpo Jomsom Trek is a pulsating adventure that catapults you to magnificence and mystery of two of Nepal’s far-western gems - Dolpo and Jomsom. The spectacular diversity at its best! Marching through the mammoth premises of the Nepal’s grandest national park, spotting the plethoric range of floras and faunas, trudging up and down the intimidating Numa La pass, we enthusiastically engross ourselves on the trekking groove, along the high and dry landscape resembling the Tibetan plateau. Of course, it is a long trip with protracted trekking hours and logistical limitations, but the pleasure and a sense of contentment you gain here walking through the rugged terrains into the deep valleys, alongside the majestic mountains simultaneously interacting with different races of people, cannot be offered by any luxury comfort. Being on the serene premises of Phoksumdo Lake will toss you to cloud nine. As you visit the hoary monasteries, you feel as if they speak up the deep buried history for you.

The Dolpo Jomsom Trek is a good retreat for your long vacation

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)

Day 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)

Day 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m/1hr)

Day 04: Flight from Nepalginj to Juphal (2354m/1hour) and Trek from Juphal to Dunai (2140m/3 hours)

Day 26: Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara (820m/35min) & Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1400m/25min)

Day 27: A free day in Kathmandu

Day 28: Depart to your homeland

Important Snippets

The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)

Upon arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be received by a representative from Marron Treks and then transferred to your hotel. At the hotel, you will be greeted with welcome drinks. We then have a quick pre-trip meeting where you will be briefed on the necessary formalities and your trekking itinerary. To avoid the jetlag, you can spend the remaining half of the day, resting. Or if lying flat is too unbecoming for you, stroll around the vicinity of your hotel just to get the feel of what this city is like. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

Day 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)

After breakfast, hop in to our transport vehicle and head off for a guided tour to the renowned historical and cultural landmarks of Kathmandu. You will be visiting the sites like- Pashupatinath Temple (the most revered Hindu shrine), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) and Kathmandu (Basantapur) Durbar Square. All these sites have been listed in the UNESCO world cultural heritage list. After the entertaining and informative tour, we drive back to the hotel. You can spend the rest of the time as you wish or probably preparing for the next day’s flight to Nepalgunj. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

Day 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m / 1 hr)

After breakfast, you will be driven to the domestic wing of the Kathmandu Airport. About an hour’s flight would take you to Nepalgunj, the western region hub of Nepal, which borders the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to the south. As we don’t have a connecting flight to Jumla, from where our trek commences, it gives us the opportunity to explore this usually hot and humid town. The city center, Dhamboji, happens to be the business hub with plethora of hotels and shops. Hindu as well as Muslim culture influence the town. Bageshwori temple and Muslim market are also worth visiting. Overnight at hotel in Nepalgunj; breakfast included.

We take an early morning flight to Juphal. Dolpo flights are always scheduled early in the morning. This is because the swift winds in the Thulo Bheri Valley begin to swirl by 10 a.m., which could pose serious problems for the flights scheduled later. Once we arrive at Juphal, we meet our trekking crew and after a short sojourn, we commence our trek towards Dunai. We walk downhill through the meadow, pass by few houses and arrive at a small hotel at Kala Gaura (2094m). From here, the trail goes slightly up towards the Bheri river and then to a narrow gorge. Advancing ahead, we finally arrive at Dunai, the administrative center of Dolpo region. We set up our camp here and then explore this bustling little hill town for the rest of the afternoon. Overnight at camp in Dunai; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 05: Trek from Dunai to Chepka (2838m/ 7 hrs)

Resuming our trek from Dunai, we cross a big steel suspension bridge and turn west, following the trail past a hospital. From here, it's a level walk along the bank of the Thulo Bheri River to its confluence with the Suli Gaad at 2282m. We follow the new trail, north of the east bank of Suli Gaad to a collection of teashops run by the wives of army personnel in Dunai.

Another hour of walking takes us to Kal Rupi and then to Raktang (2260m). We cross the west bank and trek past many horse pastures, over a ridge to the rough stone houses of Jyalhasa, a wintering spot for the people of Ringmo. We keep walking upstream to another bridge and make our way past some teashops and a bridge over the Ankhe Khola, at 2460m. The trail moves up and down through grass and ferns to a trail junction. The right fork leads to the army and national park post at the village of Ankhe, and stretches past two more villages of Rahagoan and Parela. The names of these three villages coincidentally refer to eye, eyebrow and eyelash respectively. We take the left fork and climb over a ridge at 2710m, then descend on a rocky path to Chepka (2838m). This place is identified by the trinity of Laali Gurans Hotel& Lodge, Yak Hotel& Lodge and Hotel Jharna. We can either camp here or at another good spot beside a huge rock at the walnut grove about 20 minutes beyond Chepka. Overnight at camp in Chepka; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 06: Trek to Chepka to Renje (2940m / 6 hrs)

We continue along a new trail which stays near the river and then climb over a small ridge. In order to avoid an imposing ridge ahead, we follow the west side of the river for about an hour and then divert to the east side near a national park camping ground. Alongside a river at 2900m, the trail becomes a collection of rocks and sticks forming a dyke along the river bank. The trail makes several more switchbacks through the forests of firs and larches, as it continues upstream to a bridge that leads to the nine houses of Renje village across the river at 2940m. About five minutes’ walk from here will take us to a good campsite. Overnight at camp in Renje; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 07: Trek from Renje to Ringmo (3733m / 7hrs)

We kick off the trek, passing through the Suli Gaad valley. As we head eastward, the valley becomes even steeper and narrower. We then climb over a ridge descend to a wooden bridge and continue through the switchbacks, along the valley floor to the confluence of Suli Gaad and the Pungmo River. From here the trail to Phoksumdo Lake and Shey Gompa follows the west bank of the river. We climb through a forest of big cedars and arrive at the settlement of Palam (3397m), another winter settlement used by the people of Ringmo village. The houses almost seem to be buried in the sandy soil. The entrance for Shey Phoksumdo National Park is at the south end of the village. After our park entrance ticket is examined, we may be subjected to a baggage inspection ostensibly for drugs and stolen art objects, a very peculiar formality in this remote locale. We continue our way up and down the sandy trail to an elevation of 3300m. From here, we encounter another set of dusty switchbacks to a ridge at 3780m. This ridge offers a distant view of a spectacular 200m -high waterfall, the highest in Nepal. The trail now makes a steep descent through birch forests, approaches the brilliantly clear, rushing waters of the Phoksumdo River and climbs gently to Ringmo village, a picturesque settlement of flat-roofed stone houses with an array of mud -plastered chortens and maniwalls. Just below Ringmo, we cross a bridge and follow a trail north to the ranger station at Phoksumdo Lake (3600m). We continue to the shores of the lake near the point where the Phoksumdo River flows out of the lake. There are national park camping grounds on both sides of the river on the south-east shore of the lake. Park rules prohibit us from camping in other places. Overnight at tent in the tranquil vicinity of Phoksumdo lake in Ringmo (3733m) on full board basis. Overnight at camp in Ringmo; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 08: Rest and excursion day at Ringmo

A well deserved sojourn after an incessant trekking for almost a week. We are at one of the most scenic locations of the trek, so an excursion is always on the cards. We can take a soothing stroll around the Phoksumdo Lake. Phoksumdo Lake could stimulate the poetic flair within anybody..it’s indeed so beautiful! We will then hike through the juniper trees to an old dilapidated Bon-po gompa, known as Pal Sentan Thasoon Chholing. This monastery was built some 60 generations ago. There are five other private gompas in some houses of the small monastic community at vicinity of the lake. The insides of the gompas contain dusty Buddhist paintings and statues. We can also witness the trappings which reflect the animistic elements of the Bon-po religion as well as the ancient witch's cavern. A donation to the ragtag collection of dirty monks will gain us entrance to the gompas. We will certainly be fascinated by the strange iconography and practice of the Bon-po religion. Overnight at camp in Ringmo; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 09: Trek from Ringmo to Chunemba (3630m / 6hrs)

From our campsite near Ringmo on the southern end of Phoksumdo Lake, the trail contours on a rocky ledge as it skirts the western lip of the lake. In some places, it's precariously suspended on a gangway of wood supported on pegs driven into crevices in the rocks. As we cross a stream, look up at the glacier descending from the upper slopes of Kanjeralwa (6612m), it is absolutely stunning! We then climb to a crest at 4060m for a spectacular view of the lake with the snowy peaks of Sonam Kang in the background. The trail makes a steep and dusty descent through birches and blue pines to the westernmost edge of the lake at 3630m, where the Phoksumdo River enters. The route now heads west, up along a wide valley. We follow an indistinct trail through thorn bushes and scrub trees, crisscrossing boggy marshes and tributaries of Phoksumdo River. We camp in a forest of blue pines at Chunemba, an undeveloped national park camping ground at 3630m. Overnight at camp in Chunemba; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 10: Trek from Chunemba to Lar Tsa (4120m / 5-6 hrs)

We begin the day walking along a leveled path that now heads north through a glacial valley. We then divert to the east bank of Phoksumdo River and follow the main valley for another hour till we arrive at Kang Gompa. The trail climbs steeply from Kang Gompa, staying on the grassy ridge. It's a long climb up the ridge, past a few groves of birch trees. We can relish the spectacular mountain views of Shey Shikhar (6139m) and Kang Chunne (6443m), dominating the western skyline. We continue on a crest at 4200m and then the route descends gently on a rocky trail to Lar Tsa, a camp site besides the river at 4120m.

It's actually possible to continue walking, but since we have now ascended more than 500m in a day, we are better off spending the night at Lar Tsa for acclimatization. Overnight at camp in Lar Tsa; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 11: Trek from Lar Tsa to Mendok Ding (4610m /2-3 hrs)

Today’s trek begins by crossing a bridge, followed by an ascent to the top of a scree slope at 4490m. We continue our ascent until we reach the crest of a grassy ridge at 4640m. The trail now contours and drops gently into Mendok Ding (flower valley). We again climb alongside a stream to a campsite at 4610m. You are almost certain to spot a herd of blue sheep on the slopes above the camp. Overnight at camp in Mendok Ding; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 12: Trek from Mendok Ding to Shey Gompa (4160m /7- 8 hrs)

We continue on the route that follows the upper reach of the Phoksumdo river and turn north towards the peak of Riwo Drugdra (Crystal Mountain). There is a choice of trails here- the Dolma Trail and the Pilgrim Trail. The Dolma trail turns north soon after the camp while the pilgrim trail starts up a steep scree slope on the opposite side of a stream that flows from the north. We follow the more scenic, pilgrim route across the Sehu La to the west of Crystal Mountain, making a kora (circumambulation) of this sacred peak.

After a long pull to Sehu La(also known as Mendok Ding La) at 5160m, the trail descends along a scree slope to a grassy meadow besides a stream valley. We are frequented by a series of long ascents and descents across ridges, in and out of the side valleys as we traverse around the Crystal Mountain. After a steep, rough climb to a crest at 5010m and another at 4860m, we begin the descent to the Tar valley. Soon after the route reaches grassy slope, a side trail leads to Tsakang, a 800 years old gompa, perched dramatically on the side of a cliff. The final descent is on a wide trail to a campsite in a large meadow near few huts of nomads, just below Shey Gompa. Overnight at camp in Shey Gompa; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 13: Rest and exploration at Shey Gompa

An extra day at Shey Gompa gives us a chance to rejuvenate ourselves. Let’s gear up for a pleasant hike to explore this much talked about monastery, Shey Gompa. We start off by crossing a river on a log bridge. Advancing further we climb up to a big chorten and then pass by a huge field of mani stones, finally arriving at the premises of Shey Gompa at 41600m. The gompa itself is not large, and there are no artifacts or paintings inside. Although the building is said to be 800years old, the wall paintings are relatively recent, probably done in the 1970s. The statues on the altar are of Guru Rinpoche, Sakyamuni and Milarepa. The gompa also houses an ancient Tibetan scroll that describes the myth of Crystal Mountain and Shey Gompa. According to the inscription, there is a holy lake in a crater among the mountains that surrounds Shey. If a pilgrim makes nine circumambulations of this lake, the water turns milky. A sip of this milk and the pilgrim can see Mt Kailash in the distance! The ones, who don’t need much rest, can try discovering this lake. This is certainly going to be an explorative and interesting day at Shey Gompa. After this indulgence, we get back to our campsite. Overnight at camp in Shey Gompa; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 14: Trek from Shey Gompa to Namgung (4433m / 5 hrs)

A steep ascent is headed our way. We make the move from Shey Gompa, trekking eastwards. The trail now rockets up to the Shey La pass at 5010m. We can stop here for a moment to catch our breath and relish the bird’s eye-view of the surrounding. We now make our way down the pass and continue descending northwards. Making a short final ascent, we arrive at Namgung (4433m). Overnight at camp in Namgung; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 15: Trek from Namgung to Karang (4050m / 5-6 hrs)

Today, the trail stretches high above the Namgung River and then gently drops down to Karang (4050m). Descending further from here would get us to the settlement of Saldang, situated on a river bank. But this village does not have anything worth exploring, so we would possibly wrap up today’s trek at Karang. Overnight at tent in Karang on full board basis. Overnight at camp in Karang; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 16: Trek from Karang to Mugaon (4100m / 5-6 hrs)

Let’s begin our trek with a descent to Torak Sumdo (3670m), the confluence of the Namgung and Polang Rivers. From here, we move ahead across the northern bank and then climb to Yanger Gompa at 3750m . We continue trekking alongside the river and make a fairly steep ascent to Mugaon. Overnight at camp in Mugaon; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 17: Trek from Mugaon to Shimen (3870m / 6hrs)

Shimen is at a slightly lower elevation compared to Mugaon, but on the way we need to cross a 5000m plus pass. Today’s route stretches up the valley and climbs steeply to Mushi La pass (5030m). From here, the trail descends steeply to Shimen village (3870m). Overnight at camp in Shimen; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 18: Trek from Shimen to Tinje (4150m / 6 hrs)

Today, the trail first drops down from Shimen to the elevation of 3870m and then make a fairly steep climb up a river to Pha (4090m). A subtle ascent from here will get us to Tinje (4150m). Overnight at camp in Tinje; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 19: Trek from Tinje to Rakpa (4535m / 7 hrs)

After an energizing breakfast, we resume our trek, walking past the runway of an abandoned airport in Tinje. As we advance further, we arrive at a trail junction at 4130m. The higher route leads to Tarap. We embark on the lower route and continue southward till we arrive at a campsite on the bank of the river at Rakpa (453m). Overnight at camp in Rakpa; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

With ambivalent emotions, we begin the day’s trek heading for a long and steep climb to the Charka La (4920m). From here the route goes down gradually and then dives down sharply into the valley at 4290m. We then make a long traverse down to the picturesque village of Charka, poised on the bank of Barbung river at 4110m. Overnight at camp in Charka; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 21: Trek from Charka to Norbulung (4750m /6 hrs)

It’s another day where we start off with a climb. Today we first trudge up a crest at 4380m. The trail then abruptly descends to a river. We head southward following the right fork of the river along the rough switchbacks, which takes us in and out of the valley. As we move ahead, the valley gets narrower. We now emerge into a big meadow and climb to our campsite at Norbulung (4750m); breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

‘Sleep low and climb high’ has become our slogan for the past few days. We commence the day’s trek with a climb to a yak pasture at Molum Sumna (4860m) and further ascend a crest at 5130m. Making a long traverse across meadows to the foot of the Sangda La, we then head on for a long, strenuous and steep climb to the pass at 5460m. From here, the trail descends through switchbacks to our campsite by a stream at Sangda Phedi (4190m); breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 23: Trek from Shangda Phedi to Sangda (3710m / 5 hrs)

We cross the lower Sangda La at 4990m and then descend through loose shale towards the village of Sangda Ghunsa (4190m). The trail further drops to Chalung river, crosses it at 3750m, and then soars steeply up the opposite bank of the river. A long high traverse leads to a cairn at 4090m. We then trek through a set of steep switchbacks and descend to a stream at 3580m. From here, we climb to the compact settlement of Sangda (3710m) and wrap up the day’s trek. Overnight at camp in Sangda; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 24: Trek from Sangda to Dhagarjun (3290m / 5-6 hrs)

Our footy mission begins with an ascent to a hill behind Sangda. Throughout the day, we make a flurry of high traverses, crossing nine different ridges, until we walk up to the crest of a last ridge at 4280m. The trail now drops down to the Kali Gandaki valley and stretches under the high cliffs till it ultimately descends to the large village of Dhagarjun (3290m). Overnight at camp in Dhagarjun; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 25: Trek from Dhagarjun to Jomsom (2750m /5-6 hrs)

The last day our trek begins with a climb to a ridge at 3360m. From here we trek down through a challenging trail of loose rocks until we arrive at Jomsom (2710m). This wraps up the trek. We understand that you get the feel as if your skeletal system has gone ramshackle after all those elongated walking hours for almost a month. But we bet, your mind is all pumped up as you have lots of fascinating experiences to share with your acquaintances back home. This is a big moment and we should have a celebration to say the least! It’s your night, party hard, but don’t forget to thank the crew members. Overnight at camp in Jomsom; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 26: Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara (820m/35min) & Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu(1400m/25min)

Kissing goodbye to Jomsom, we board on a flight to Pokhara - a fantastic aerial journey offering some of the rarest views of the Kali Gandaki Gorge between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. In about 25 minutes, we will land at the airport in Pokhara. From Pokhara, we either take a 35 minutes’ flight or a six hours’ drive to Kathmandu. Upon your arrival at the domestic wing of the Kathmandu airport, a representative from Marron Trek will receive and transfer you to your designated hotel. You have just gotten back from a long trip, so you would probably want to groom yourself and relax. Try out the herbal spa and do away the trekking fatigue. You have an extra day at Kathmandu tomorrow. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

Day 27: A free day in Kathmandu
This is a free day in Kathmandu to fulfill anything that you missed out spotting in this energetic capital of Nepal. You can indulge yourself in shopping or strolling around some of the cultural and historical landmarks of Kathmandu. Thamel is your hot spot for shopping where you can haul all the souvenirs representing Nepal and its culture. May be that in addition to your interesting trip anecdotes, you would also want to take back some stuff for your friends and relatives. In the evening, a farewell dinner with a range of traditional Nepali cuisines, will be hosted by Marron Treks. Enjoy the dinner, pack/prepare yourself for a flight back home and have a beauty sleep. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast and dinner included.

Day 28: Final Departure to your homeland

You will be escorted to the Tribhuwan International Airport by a representative from Marron Treks. It is advisable to reach the airport three hours prior to the flight schedule. We welcomed you with a big smile and we are seeing you off with an affectionate hug. Hope you had an awesome stay in Nepal and a memorable trip. Have a safe flight back home and we look forward to being your adventure companion in Nepal again. Trips can always be extended to try out some of our other adventurous packages like - Bungy Jumping, Mountain Biking, Jungle Safari, White Water Rafting, Golfing & Paragliding etc. Please let us know about your desire for trip extension so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

Important Snippets

In Nepal, the monsoon generally prevails through July to August. Nevertheless, there are a few rain shadow areas such as Upper Mustang, Upper Manang, Rara Lake, Langtang Valley, Everest Gokyo Valley and Dolpo, where trekking is feasible even during the monsoon. Due to the presence of mammoth mountains in these areas, the rain clouds cannot infiltrate. However, it is still advisable to carry a raincoat and insect repellents.

The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.

Safety Issues

Marron Treks never compromises with the safety and well being of its clients. Our trips are led by qualified, well trained and Nepal Government licensed guides. The guides are well acquainted to administering first aid and precautionary measures when trekking to high altitudes. We are committed to making your trip safe, adventurous and informative. Hence, please be assured…you are on the safest accompaniment!

During the trek, you will be accommodated in a Tea House/ Lodge or Trekking Inn. Most of these lodges and teahouses cater good services and are equipped with modern amenities. We will endeavor to provide you the best accommodation available along the route so that you get a good night’s rest in a hygienic milieu.

Meals

We arrange the best quality food during the trek as we are concerned about the health of the trekkers as well as the staff members. Basically, we opt for locally available food in the Far Western Region so that you could a real sense of the culture, living patterns, simultaneously promoting the locally available resources of organic food and beverages. Other than, a wide range of Continental, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisines like Pizza, Spaghetti, French Fries, Soups, Breads etc are also available for your retreat.

Porter and Staff Care

We ensure that all the porters and other staffs going into high altitude conditions are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. They are the backbones for the accomplishment of the trek.

Best Months

The months of March-November is considered to be best for Upper Dolpo Trek.

Our Guides

Guides play a significant role during the trek. They are the ones who literally decipher the trekking codes for you so that you could actually connect with the nature, culture and people along the way. We have helpful and dedicated trekking guides, who are fairly literate, multilingual speakers and are very well versed to the culture, life patterns and every single detail pertaining to the Far Western region. Thus, in the company of our professional Sherpa guides, your trek becomes not only entertaining, but also equally informative.

Travel Insurance

It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both- medical as well as evacuation costs. Having a travel insurance with you, makes your trip secure and hassle free.

Entrance and monumental fees during the sightseeing in Kathmandu as prescribed in the itinerary.

Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj on BB basis as per itinerary.

All ground transportation costs in accordance to the itinerary.

All trekking accommodation costs (in tented camps) on full board (B, L, D) basis as per the itinerary.

Transportation cost of all camp and kitchen equipments.

Four seasonal sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion) duffel bag, t-shirt and Cap (provided as complimentary gears).

A comprehensive medical kit (will be carried by the trekking guide).

Salary to guide, porters, kitchen staffs and helpers for the trekking period.

Personal insurance for crew members.

All applicable tourist fees, conservation fees, "special permit" fees & TIMS fees necessary for trekking. Special Trekking Permit fee for Dolpo is US$ 500 per person for 10 days. Any additional stay beyond this will cost US$ 50 per day, per person. Permit fee outside of the restricted area in Dolpo is US$ 10 per person per week.

Nepal entry visa fee – Visa can be obtained upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 15 days costs US $ 25 or equivalent foreign currency, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days and 90 days costs US $40 and $ 100 respectively. You will need a valid passport and 2 copies of your recent PP sized photos).

Tips to the guide, porter, driver, hotel and tea-house staff (Tipping is expected).

Cost incurred due to the addition of extra days or change in the real course of the itinerary because of bad weather conditions, political turmoil or any other unforeseen contingencies.

Any other expenses not mentioned in the 'Cost Includes' section above.

TREKKING GEARS & EQUIPMENTS

Needless to say that kitting and stuffing yourself out for a trek is almost a herculean task which keeps you mulling and often gets you overwhelmed. But at the mercy of the renting outlets sprouting in every visible corner in Kathmandu, preparing for trekking in Nepal these days is almost tantamount to equipping yourself for a weekend backpacking trip. Most of the heavy and expensive items are easily available on rent, so you don’t actually have to travel Nepal with a cartload of gears. We have endeavored to formulate a categorical checklist that gives you a tentative idea regarding the gears and accessories mandatory for you during the trek. The list could vary depending upon the kind of trek you pursue, the terrain, weather conditions and time of the year. For instance, you don’t need the camp-trek equipments when you are on a tea-house trek. This listing below simply serves as a guideline and you can always have your own checklist. It is always preferable to pack light and the key to this is to carry the gears and accessories that have multidimensional uses.

CLOTHING (Core & Lower body)

Water-proof (breathable fabric) jacket, Poncho or Umbrella

Hard shell pants (breathable fabric- 1 set), preferably that zips from top and bottom which can be worn over boots without getting undressed, in case of abrupt weather changes

Duffle bag (will be provided by Marron Treks as a complimentary gear and you needn't return it )

Pack cover (to protect your gears from getting wet)

Day sack/Nylon stuff sack

Sleeping Bag/ Silk liner (will be provided by Marron Treks but should be returned after the trip)

Water bottle

Good head torch along with spare batteries and bulbs

Maps, compass and a guide book

Trekking poles

Miscellaneous Bits

The items below could seem trivial, but if you don’t have them, you might just find

yourself sticky and stinky, which isn’t actually good for you!

Toiletries

Quick-drying camp towel

Detergent powder/bar

Toilet paper

Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 20+) & Lip balm

Pocket knife

Sewing/Repair Kit (for tent & mattress)

Emergency kit including a whistle, waterproof match/lighter

Padlocks for bags and lodge rooms

Stuff sacks

Earplugs

Candlesticks

Medicaments

It is important that you can include the medicines prescribed by your doctor. Below is just the generic list of medications. We advice you to always consult your travel doctor as you might be resistant or allergic to some medicines

Anesthetics (Ibuprofen/Aspirin)

Broad spectrum antibiotics tablets

Metronidazole and Antacids (for diarrohea /indigestion)

Broad spectrum ointments (Neosporin/ Clotrimazole/Gentamicin)

Antiseptic liquids (Dettol/Savlon)

Assorted band-aids

Small gauge pad

Roll of adhesive tape

Iodine tablets

Optional Carry

Nothing hard and fast about carrying the items in this list as they are not the basics. Yet, though not all, if you still manage to squeeze in some of these items on your carry, you will not regret as they might just come handy during the trek

Camera, memory card and battery charger

GPS unit Altimeters

Binoculars

Pee bottle for men (leak proof/wide mouth) & Pee funnel for women

Books and magazines

Departure Date

Marron Treks has calibrated fixed departure dates for all the trek packages. We operate group as well as individual/private treks. Please pick the most palpable date for you and book your trip now. If the dates below don’t fit your schedule, kindly contact us directly and let us know about your preference.

Trip Facts

Starting Price: USD XXXX (On request)

Group Size: 02 – 12 Pax

Trip Grade: Moderate + Strenuous

Accommodation: Camping

Transportation: Private Car/Jeep & Flight

Highest Elevation: Sangda La (5460m)

Lowest Elevation: Nepalgunj (150m)

Average Walking Hours per Day: 5 Hours

Trek Commences From: Juphal (2354m)

Trek Terminates At: Jomsom (2750m)

Best Months: Mar-Nov

Trip Highlights

Ideal trip for the long holiday makers aspiring to take a plunge into the far-flung mystique chunk of Nepal

Cruise around Kathmandu city, exploring the most renowned historic and cultural landmarks herein

Navigate Nepalgunj, the western region hub of Nepal

Relish the serene beauty of the milieu as you pass by the turquoise waters of Phoksumdo Lake (3600m)

Explore two of the oldest monasteries in Nepal- Pal Sentan Thansoon Chholing Gompa & Shey Gompa; know some of the most interesting anecdotes associated to them

Walk up the several high passes (Sangda La, Sehu La, Shey La, Musi La) and crests above 5000 meters; experience the chill and charm of the soaring altitudes